Help, Prednisolone side effects and my doctors disagree!?

I've had intracranial hypertension and was treated by my neurologist (let's call him S) with Prednisolone for the swelling and a diuretic to combat the buildup of fluids.





Now my head problem is gone, but I'm still decreasing my dose of prednisolone (2.5mg daily now) and I'm experiencing some strange effects:





1. I have random episodes where my skin turns red and itches like mad, on random parts of my body (can be anywhere).It's impossible to ignore. Then after a while it goes away on its own.





2. I get severe heartburn at night time (i take the 2.5mg of prednisolone in the morning).





I got a second opinion, the second doctor (let's call him N) wants to increase my dosage of prednisolone to 15mg daily, taken as 3x5mg throughout the day, and says the effects are due to quick withdrawal from prednisolone.





My first doctor (S) says I should continue to taper my dose and these effects should go away, and are an allergy.





Who should I trust? N (continue with 2.5mg) or S (15mg)? Please help!

Help, Prednisolone side effects and my doctors disagree!?
In the last line you mixed up, S wants to continue with 2.5, N wants to increase to 15 mg.


Anyway, I think first one is right, it is some allergy. You shouldn't increase dose of pred. now. Instead you may take some antiallergic with first doctor's advice.


All the best!
Reply:http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/predni...





this is a full list of side effects related to Prednisolone
Reply:i was on 80mg, taken in one dose first thing in a morning, for5 years , i had terrific heartburn and acid re-flux. my hospital prescribed me 300mg ranitidine tablet to take at night before i went to bed. they said prednisolone can cause stomach problems and you need ranitidine to protect it. i was on steroids for thyroid swelling, you have to be weaned off them as its dangerous to just stop. my consultant gradually dropped my dose , i was taking 16 ,5mg [80mg] i was dropped eg- 15 and half on day -15 the next etc, i was fine doing it this way. hope this helps you
Reply:Hi,





I have had an allergy to several of the steroids...mostly the inhaled ones for asthma, or the ear drops for ear infections.





The cortico-steroid group itself, can have some REALLY odd side effects, as they suppress your immune system while you are on them (they are purposely referred to and used as immunosuppressants).





Since, not totally sure if it is an allergic reaction, OR from the fast withdrawl, in this case, it COULD be both, or either, I would go talk to your PHARMACIST. Most people don't realize that they HAVE to know your medications, and either know them by heart---from being asked the same questions every day about "can I take THIS medication while I am on THIS?" OR, they look them up in their reference books, OR they understand the chemistry and lingo that is packaged in the original medication box by the drug maker.





Hope this helps.....good luck to you.





ps....our pharmacist helped up out here MANY times....that is how I found out that zyrtec is hydroxazine, but just a 24 hour version of it, so, that is why the different name. Nowhere did it explain that on the zyrtec website, just referenced once about people who HAVE had a problem with hydroxazine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist first. no one realized it WAS hydroxazine...watched my husband have a really bad reaction from it, and the er docs failed to figure it out.